By James Phang
To mark Hublot’s tenth anniversary of its Big Bang, it has launched its very first perpetual calendar – the Hublot Big Bang Perpetual Calendar Chrono. The design is distinctly loud and complex, with finish and style bearing resemblance to the Aerobang series.
Similar to its predecessors, the Big Bang sports a similar round bezel with handlebar sides and six hexagonally-positioned screws. Its satin finish is something we have seen in the more recent complicated releases from Hublot, such as its first moon-phase timepiece released one month earlier. However, its chronograph and calendar module has been completely redesigned and bears Hublot’s hallmarks and finishes
It is powered by the HUB 1270 UNICO, a Hublot-manufactured movement with a black self-winding rotor made of tungsten – the same movement used as the base for Hublot’s official World Cup timer in 2014. It has three distinct complications: the chronograph, the perpetual calendar and the moon phase.
The sapphire-crystal dial provides a view of the skeleton movement inside. To improve legibility, the Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar distinguishes the perpetual calendar and chronograph by designating a white hand for the perpetual calendar and red hand for the latter. The days are positioned at 6 o’clock, the months and leap years at 9 o’clock and the date at 12 o’clock. As for the chronograph, the seconds hand is in the centre, the hour counter is at 6 o’clock and the 30-minute counter is at 9 o’clock.
The moon cycle is positioned at 3 o’clock, accented with a fumed crystal of its own to create an opaque look.
Measuring 45mm in diameter, the Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar is available in a King Gold version (Hublot’s proprietary red-gold with 5% platinum content) or in a titanium version. The piece is paired with a ribbed black rubber strap fitted with an ingenious “One click” attachment system. For more info, please visit hublot.com
Specifications from Press Release
References:
- NM.0170.RX – Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar Titanium Ceramic
- OM.0180.RX – Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar King Gold Ceramic
Movement: HUB 1270 UNICO movement developed and manufactured by Hublot; automatic chronograph and perpetual calendar (date, day, month, leap years)
- Oscillating weight Black satin-finished tungsten
- Power reserve Approximately 72 hours
Case: 45mm diameter in Titanium or 18K King Gold (both satin-finished and polished)
Bezel: Satin-finished, polished black ceramic 6 H-shaped titanium-treated screws, countersunk ,polished and locked
Crystal: Sapphire with interior/exterior anti-reflective coating
Bezel lugs: Black composite, lateral inserts Black composite
Crown: Titanium or 18K King Gold with black overmoulded rubber Hublot logo
Push-buttons: Titanium or 18K King Gold
Correctors: 2 o’clock: moon phase correction ; 4 o’clock: day correction 8 o’clock: date correction ; 10 o’clock: month correction
Case-back: Sapphire crystal with interior/exterior anti-reflective treatment Satin-finished titanium or 18K King Gold, satin-finished
Water resistance: 3 ATM, i.e. approx. 30 metres
Dial: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment on both sides Indices are rhodium-plated with white Super Luminova™ (Titanium) or gold-plated with white Super Luminova™ (King Gold)
Hands: Rhodium-plated with white Super Luminova™ (Titanium) or gold-plated with white Super Luminova™ (King Gold)
Strap: Structured, ribbed black rubber. Interchangeable system. Clasp Deployant buckle: in black PVD titanium with inserts in Ceramic (Titanium version) or in 18K King Gold (King Gold version)
James Phang – Contributing Writer
James Phang is a young watch enthusiast from Singapore and is self-professed fanatic of independent brands for their unique avant-garde designs. Some of his favourite brands include MB&F, Urwerk, Romain Jerome, Sarpaneva, Peter Speake Marin and Azimuth. His love for art extends out to all things handmade, and he has made it his personal mission to find the best handmade straps and buckles worldwide for his humble collection. Read his articles here.
